Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Last minute Valentine's fudge

V day is just a few hours away. It's a day you either love or hate. Or like me, really don't give a toss about. Last year, V day turned out to be a bit of a disaster. Although I didn't know it at the time, it turned out to be my last date with someone I thought I was going out with. So I decided me and V are done.However, I made the strategic error of going into HobbyCraft a few weeks ago. I just love all sorts of crafts, back in the day when I still had a real life and a home, I used to make fusion glass jewellery, like the ones in the picture below. I also love to knit. And in HobbyCraft, I got that crazy overwhelming feeling that I really want to be creative again. What better to create than Valentine's cards. Back home, Valentine's day is not branded quite as strongly as a lovers day, but more of a Friendship day, you give Valentine's cards to your friends and actually the Finnish word for Valentine's day is Friendship day. In theory I like that thought much more than the whole lovers day it is in the UK and US. Obviously I realise that ultimately, it's just a day for selling us cards, chocolates and roses we neither need or can afford. But I decided instead of buying stupid ready made cards, I'll make my own! Never mind the fact that it probably ended up costing me at least twice the price of ready made cards, but I really enjoyed getting to do something with my hands. Obviously, the cards didn't turn out quite as elegant and sophisticated as they were in my head. To be quite honest, my cards looked like they were made by a three year old. But when it comes to anything hand made, be it cards, confectionary or cakes, it's always the thought that counts. That's what I keep telling myself. So I'm very proud of my cards and I sent off some to my family the other day, hoping they will arrive in time.

Some fusion glass jewellery I made a long time ago.

I couldn't quite stop with the cards though. I thought, for my best friends I would also make some home made sweets. Nothing too elaborate, just some simple recipes I pinned ages ago but haven't gotten around to try. One of them was a two ingredient fudge, which takes all of about two minutes to whip up. Seriously, this is one of the easiest things I have ever made, so if you feel like you really should make something for Valentine's, but can't quite make yourself put any effort into it, this recipe, which I stole lovingly borrowed from Cookies & Cups, is super simple and quick. If you have a cute little heart shaped cookie cutter you can make sweet little fudge hearts in no-time. Obviously, if you don't have a cutter, you can make fudge squares, it's still home made fudge, and that's what counts.Two ingredient easiest fudge ever (from Cookies & Cups):1 jar (16 ounce, 450 g) strawberry frosting12 ounces (340 g) white chocolateheart shaped or any other sprinklesThe howto:Melt chocolate either in the microwave or in a water bath. Mix with strawberry frosting. Spread in an oiled or clingfilm lined pan and allow to set in the fridge (anything from half an hour to over night). Cut using a cookie cutter or knife. Give away in a pretty box, along with a note of why you think the recipient is lovely!The verdict:If there ever was a recipe that can't fail, this is it. Well, as long as you are patient and don't melt the chocolate too fast so that it burns. I have to admit, this was the first time in my life I bought ready made frosting, and I can't say I found it all too appealing. But once mixed with the white chocolate, it turned into a nice fudge to my surprise. The fudge is really sweet though, so if you are not a world class carboholic, consider yourself warned. One of the nice things about this recipe is or course that you can easily adapt it by replacing strawberry frosting with vanilla or chocolate frosting to make different flavoured fudge very easily.

About Me

I'm a scientist with an interest in shoes, food, photography, crafting and all pretty pink things. I would love to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment here or on the InvisiblePinkFacebook (www.facebook.com/InvisiblePinkFood)